AC Odyssey: Cheated at the End

[Part of the AC Odyssey journal]

The Ghost of Kosmos, leader of the now nearly memberless cult, watched the battle from a safe distance. Like many battles before it, the blue armored Athenians clashed against the red themed Spartans but this time the cult's top enforcer, Deimos, had taken the field. On the opposing side was Alexios the Eagle Bearer, now renowned for all his previous adventures across most of the Greek world.

It was a sight to behold the two of them locked in mortal combat. Even some of the other soldiers on the field stopped fighting to watch as explosive heavenly light erupted from the ground while each champion took turns doing even more and more amazing feats of agility and strength... It was as if two demigods were fighting in their midst. Neither had the upper hand.

And then, the unthinkable happened. Two large flaming trees fell right on top of them, abruptly ending the fight in the most comical way possible. This result stunned everyone in silence with each army losing an appetite to continue the battle that day. Only the Ghost could think of something to say.

"Malaka!"

Second flaming tree incoming... in three... two...

Insight: While I'm ending this story here for now, the game certainly has more quest plots going on (and a much better ending) - most of which I avoided writing about! Speaking of Stories though, there is a capability to for players to generate their own quests for everyone to play. As expected, there are numerous XP farms (just keep replaying them without leaving the mission) if the level grind is too much for you. And yes, that totally counts as cheating!

AC Odyssey: Better than the Best

[Part of the AC Odyssey journal]

Monia never understood the need for The Battle of a Hundred Hands, a last man left standing event held on the Volcanic Isles, but it served to be the easiest place to track down her prey. The Cult of Kosmos had doubled the bounty on the Eagle Bearer after he recently sunk another of their fleets, but who do you send to hunt the best? Those who are better.

Past Tier One was a roster of four more "secret" ranks, and Monia being a Secret 2 traversed the battle field with ease finding Alexios right out in the open just as he finished another batch of competitors. It was only at the last second that he managed to dodge Monia's grenade, rolling right into her shoulder charge which knocked him on flat his back.

He recovered just in time to evade her blade finisher, and countered with the same moves he used to win against Exekias. It wasn't as effective on Monia as she was only slightly injured. Seeing this and running out of steam, he quickly fled with the Secret 2 merc easily keeping pace behind him. To her surprise, he ran straight into another large cluster of Hundred Hands contestants and began slaying them.

Monia joined the skirmish but suddenly found Alexios reinvigorated, parrying and dodging perfectly and worse - able to spam his Minotaur axe overpower attack. Even all her preparation couldn't withstand that so she began to back off but it was too late. She was in range. The axe came down on her... again... and again... and again... and again...

The axe is so strong is distorts reality!

Insight: Contrary to logic, you thrive in mass combat as long as most of your enemies are fodder as they feed you a lot of adrenaline per attack combo, parry and dodge to fuel your bigger attacks. For this same reason always kill wildlife in your way (this includes goats and deer), to keep your Eagle Bearer "excited". You will get penalized for harming domestic animals though. 

Using the overpower attack of the Minotaur axe makes the most use of this, though if you are hidden using rush assassination to "bounce" between a strong enemy and others (or 2 strong enemies) is a good way to deal tremendous damage.

AC Odyssey: Tier One

[Part of the AC Odyssey journal]

"I see you stabbed Diona," said Exekias slowly approaching Alexios with his twin maces drawn. "I think many people have 'stabbed' Diona," retorted the Eagle Bearer as he retrieved his blade from the beautiful cultist's neck whose blood now seeped onto the stones of the Aphrodite overlook. "I'm ready for you this time Exekias!"

"I would hope so, Arena Champion," spoke Odainathos with his halberd drawn and flanking his ex-captain. "Don't look so surprised. Most cultists are cultists for life."

"Then it's time I end yours!"

With a sudden burst of speed Alexios brought the Minotaur axe down to bear on both his attackers with an overpower attack. It's unearthly might smashed through their defenses badly wounding Odainathos and half killing Exekias. They tried their best to retaliate, but missed as the Eagle Bearer just dodge rolled between them... and then swept the champions leg from under him.

Sweep the leg!

Just like that, both opponents were slain and Alexios took the mantle of Tier One.

Insight: It pays to change your skill allocations when the situation calls for it. The monetary cost is pretty low in the overall scheme of things.

AC Odyssey: Ambush at Kos

[Part of the AC Odyssey journal]

Lavrentios watched from a rooftop as Alexios made his way to the beach side square of Kos. He had spent some time and a good amount of drachmae organizing the welcome party for his "friend". A friend whose death would see him earn a king's bounty from the Cult of Kosmos. Apparently, Alexios has been busy hunting down and executing their members all across Greece.

Right on schedule, the three other mercenaries he hired moved out of their hiding spots. These were tier 4 warriors, and would be unlike any other Alexios had previously encountered. At the same time, marching feet signaled the arrival of the Spartan leader of Kos and all of his elite bodyguards, to seal the deal as it were.

Confident that his prey was now surrounded and doomed, Lavrentios appeared from the balcony - his long hair swaying in the sea breeze. "Sorry Alexios!" he yelled down with a shrug. "It's time to die!"

All the warriors attacked in unison: spears, maces, swords, and arrows targeting one man. Most missed or were parried but those that hit certainly knocked the wind out of the Eagle Bearer. With a burst of speed, Alexios suddenly cut through the Spartan line and ran into the narrow streets of the village.

So many mercs!

"After him!" cried Lavrentios, not realizing he was funneling the Spartans to their doom. A narrow alley negated their superior numbers and when the heavily armored mercenaries got there, all they found were corpses, including that of the leader of Kos.

Lavrentios then made his second mistake. He and the mercenaries split up to look for their prey. Using hit and run tactics, Alexios wore them all down, killing them until only Lavrentios was left.

Knees trembling and urine staining his tunic, Lavrentios didn't notice that Alexios was on the balcony above him. Without any ceremony, the Eagle bearer leaped down onto him and shoved his spear through Lavrentios' face.

Insight: Evasion is easy especially in places with lots of cover. While its best to be crouched hiding in a bush, remember that they also block line of sight, provided you are crouched behind them - even if you aren't in them yet.

AC Odyssey: Recruitment

[Part of the AC Odyssey journal]

"I don't believe this!" exclaimed the Chimera as she took another swing of wine and paced her small beach campsite under the watch of her lone towering body guard. "Not only do we have a crazed misthios hunting our other Kosmos members, but we happen to run into an actual, living and hungry cyclops here - on this island that's meant to have the mystical forge!"

"It must be here. That monster must be guarding something." muttered Odainathos as he removed and examined his damaged helmet. The rest of the expedition was not so lucky having fallen prey to the one eyed menace.

The Chimera, whose real name wasn't even known to him for security reasons, just scoffed and headed inside her tent. "I need to think!" she yelled back. He knew she actually meant she needed more drink, but it wasn't his place to question.

Deciding his helmet wasn't salvagable he tossed it aside and looked to the Chimera's tent, only to see her head rolling back out of it closely followed by the misthios he had heard so much about - the Eagle Bearer.

"Looks like you are having a rough day," said the misthios to the lone guardian.

"Not rough enough," replied Odainathos as he picked up his halberd and charged. The Eagle Bearer floored him with a punch in under ten seconds, but instead of meeting his end the misthios offered his hand instead.

"I like your spirit. Join my crew and help me destroy the Cult of Kosmos."

Odainathos accepted.

Insight: As long as the last damage you deal to an enemy to deplete his health bar is non-fatal, you can just knock down people. And recruit them to your crew! Took me awhile to learn about that.